Desmond Watson: Bucs sign| Contract| Who drafted| Weight loss

Introduction

Desmond Watson is one of the most unique and talked-about prospects in recent NFL memory. A massive defensive tackle out of the University of Florida, his size, potential and the challenges he faces have made him both a headline maker and a case study in how modern professional football is evolving. In this article, we will explore who signed him, his contract details, the fact that he went undrafted, and his ongoing weight loss / conditioning journey. By the end, you’ll have a complete picture of where Desmond Watson stands in the NFL as of late 2025.

Who Is Desmond Watson?

• Born in 2003 (January 5) in Plant City, Florida.

• Played high school football at Armwood High School, known for being a four-star prospect.

• Went on to play college football for the Florida Gators from 2021 to 2024, primarily as a defensive tackle / nose tackle.

Watson’s physical size has always been his defining trait: standing 6 ft 6 in, and at different points weighing well over 450 lbs. That size brings both advantages (power, presence) and challenges (conditioning, stamina, health).

NFL Draft: Who Drafted Him?

• In the 2025 NFL Draft, Watson was not drafted.

• After the draft, he was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent.

So, “who drafted him” is a bit of a misnomer — he wasn’t selected in any round, but he was picked up immediately after by Tampa Bay. Desmond Watson Buccaneers.

Bucs Sign & Contract Details

• The Buccaneers initially signed Watson after the 2025 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent.

• The contract specifics: the guaranteed money, bonuses etc are not fully transparent in all sources. Some reports mention a guarantee of about US$50,000 and a signing bonus around US$20,000. However, note that some of those figures come from less official sources or media reports.

• His status with the team has changed: he was placed on the non-football injury list at some point (training camp), waived at roster cutdowns, and later signed to the practice squad after a tryout in September 2025.

So while he doesn’t currently have a spot on the 53-man active roster, he is with Tampa Bay in a developmental / depth capacity.

Weight, Conditioning & Loss Journey

A major part of Watson’s story is his struggle with weight and conditioning, and how the Buccaneers have handled it.

• At his pro day prior to the draft, he weighed 464 pounds.

• The Bucs placed him on the non-football injury list during training camp, because they felt his weight/fitness needed improvement before full participation.

• At some point, he reduced his weight to ~449-450 pounds.

• The team set “milestones” for him to meet in terms of conditioning before allowing full participation in practices and drills.

Watson himself has discussed how some of his eating / lifestyle habits (like stopping at gas stations during road trips) contributed to weight gain, and how he is working to correct those. Desmond Watson Buccaneers.

Why His Size Matters (and Why It’s Both a Pro & a Con)

Pros:

• Watson’s sheer mass gives him the potential to dominate in short-yardage and goal-line rushing situations. He’s essentially a space eater, which is valuable on the defensive interior.

• Also there’s a novelty / mismatch factor: Offenses may not be used to facing a DT of his size, which can put them off balance.

Challenges:

• Stamina: carrying so much body weight makes conditioning harder. Being able to stay active throughout a game, or even through a practice, is a big challenge.

• Health: risk of injury, fatigue, cardiovascular issues. Teams are careful when a player is out of shape.

• Speed & mobility: At nearly 450-460 lbs, every extra pound slows down change of direction, burst off the line, etc.

The Buccaneers’ approach seems to be: leverage Watson’s natural strengths, while attempting to bring the measurable downsides under control via weight loss, conditioning, nutrition and restricted activity until those goals are met. Desmond Watson Buccaneers.

Current Status (as of September 2025)

• Watson is currently on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad after a tryout.

• He has already made progress in losing weight, but the team still has fitness and health benchmarks he needs to clear.

• He was waived at the final roster cuts (late August) but later re-signed to the practice squad in September.

What’s Next for Watson

• Continue meeting the team’s conditioning/health milestones to get full clearance for practices and possibly game day elevation.

• Improve mobility, stamina, and overall football readiness in addition to just pure weight loss.

• Prove value as a rotational defensive tackle, especially in short-yardage / goal-line downs.

• Possibly compete for a spot on the active roster or be a depth player used situationally.

Conclusion

Desmond Watson is in many ways one of the most intriguing prospects in the NFL right now. His story isn’t just about raw size — it’s about the balance between potential and the physical & mental demands of being an NFL player. Signed as an undrafted free agent by Tampa Bay, he is not yet drafted but has earned a practice squad spot. The weight loss journey is a central part of his path forward.

Whether Watson becomes a regular contributor or remains more of a situational player depends largely on how successfully he can manage his conditioning, health, and how well the Bucs can integrate him into their defensive scheme. Desmond Watson Buccaneers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Was Desmond Watson drafted in the NFL Draft?
   No. Watson went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. After the draft, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent.

2. What is his contract or signing bonus with the Buccaneers?
   The full contract details are not fully disclosed publicly. Media reports suggest around US$50,000 guaranteed with approximately US$20,000 signing bonus, but these are not confirmed by the team.

3. How much does Desmond Watson weigh, and has he lost weight?
   At pro day, he weighed in around 464 pounds. Since then, he has reportedly lost weight, down to about 449-450 pounds at certain points while trying to meet the team’s standards.

4. Why was he placed on the non-football injury list (NF-ILI)?
   The Buccaneers placed Watson on the NF-ILI because of concerns about his conditioning and health status. The team wanted him to meet weight and conditioning benchmarks before being cleared to practice.

5. What position does Watson play, and what are his strengths?
   He plays defensive tackle / nose tackle. His strengths include large body mass (which helps in run defense, stuffing gaps), power off the snap, and potential to be disruptive inside.

6. What is the likelihood of him making the active roster?
   It depends on multiple factors: continued improvement in conditioning, ability to sustain performance, how the Bucs manage their defensive line depth, and how well he adapts. As of now, he is on the practice squad. If he clears health/fitness standards and shows he can contribute, he may get elevated.

7. How is the Buccaneers’ coaching staff handling his development?
   They are setting clear milestones for weight, conditioning, and health. Watson has been working with team nutritionists and trainers. They are cautious, wanting his body to be ready before exposing him to full practice and game situations.